Now that summer is here, many families are spending

Regardless of whether you'll be resurfacing wood, iron, aluminum or another material, you'll need to begin with a thorough inspection and cleaning. Use a wire brush to tackle flaking paint, rust and caked-on grime. A basic broom and possibly soap and water will clear away animal nests, seeds, feces or spider webs. Check for insect damage, especially that of termites or carpenter ants, and replace loose boards or posts. Clear mold and mildew using a solution that kills such environmental hazards. You can buy it or make your own using one part bleach to one part water.

Once surfaces are cleared and flakes have been removed and smoothed, give the entire project one more cleaning. Superficial grime or even soap film can interfere with the adherence of the paint or stain.

Power washing often is the best option for getting exterior surfaces clean. However, if done incorrectly, it can cause serious damage to underlying materials, especially wood or composite. Even worse, you can hurt yourself or someone around you. Keep in mind, you want to clean the surface - not destroy it. Use low pressure and lots of water along with environmentally friendly cleaners to get the job done. Turn the nozzle at the correct angle, so water is not cutting into the grain.

Once cleaned, allow the surface to dry completely. Depending on temperature and humidity, this could take a day or longer.

In the meantime, you can begin preparing the area around your project. After all, you don't want to paint or stain your grass, flowers, bushes or other landscaping - or any of your neighbor's property.

Consider what tools you plan to use to help you determine how best to protect nearby sidewalks, landscaping or lawn furniture. If you're using a sprayer, you'll need tarps and possibly a willing partner to hold up a sheet of plywood to protect nearby areas from overspray. Afterwards, you'll need to use a brush in tight spots where the paint or stain did not reach. If you opt to use a brush or roller, you should be able to cover landscaping as you go.

Finally, be sure to use fresh, high-quality products for all exterior painting. Read the label to find the best conditions for application. If the day is too humid, too hot or too sunny, you'll want to wait. If conditions aren't right, the finish will not hold up. Your hard work will have been for naught, and you'll need to repeat the job much sooner than you'd like.

Fencing and decking add beauty and value to your property, so it's worthwhile to maintain them correctly. After all, the proper finish protects the surface as well as its underlying material.